Minerality and Reinvention
Île de France
In Versailles, this residential complex is taking shape within a heterogeneous urban fabric, where historic Île-de-France styles and contemporary “classic” constructions coexist.
Across a 3,512 m² plot, the project deploys 58 housing units for Kaufman and Broad (both market-rate and social housing), with a primary value of advocating for a renewed modernity capable of respecting the historical context.
Seeking to integrate as smoothly as possible into the neighborhood’s real estate typology, the massing—consisting of five entities—emphasizes roof pitches with “French-style” attic spaces without fully adopting all of their classic codes.
Here, the roof becomes an extension of the walls, allowing for the creation of generous loggias. Above all, the colorful ensemble of the facades evokes the chromatic palette of meulière stones, which were once widely used in construction throughout the Île-de-France region.
Across a 3,512 m² plot, the project deploys 58 housing units for Kaufman and Broad (both market-rate and social housing), with a primary value of advocating for a renewed modernity capable of respecting the historical context.
Seeking to integrate as smoothly as possible into the neighborhood’s real estate typology, the massing—consisting of five entities—emphasizes roof pitches with “French-style” attic spaces without fully adopting all of their classic codes.
Here, the roof becomes an extension of the walls, allowing for the creation of generous loggias. Above all, the colorful ensemble of the facades evokes the chromatic palette of meulière stones, which were once widely used in construction throughout the Île-de-France region.
However, this building stone ceased to be used when the deposits became largely depleted by the mid-20th century, leading to the closure of the quarries. Consequently, the use of a terracotta brick with a similar hue was recommended to envision a reinterpretation of this mineral material. Its manual manufacturing process—hand-molded—brings a certain non-homogeneity to the product, and thus a form of uniqueness to each element, mirroring the irregularity of the meulière stones traditionally used. The orientations optimize sunlight in the main rooms, while recessed balconies carved into the facades and roofs act as breathers, facilitating the intake of natural light. “Through the use of this hand-crafted terracotta brick, this project questions, via form and material, the typology of Île-de-France dwellings, formerly built with meulière stones which are no longer available.”
- Adress21-23 rue du Refuge, 78000 Versailles
- FRESH Team MemberUlisse Gnesda
Pamela Gennari
Ramzi Lasram - Program53 housing units
- Floor Area3 677 m²
- Cost8 M € HT
- ClientKaufman & Broad
- PartnersBetom
Land’Act
Rochefolle Construction - PerformanceRT 2012
- StatusDelivered
- Year2021